Unicycle.



No. 782,033. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905. O. JENSEN.

UNICYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8. 1904.

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WITNESSES:

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INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS N0. 782,033. PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905- O. JENSEN.

UNIUYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8. 1904.

4 SHEBTSSHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS No. 782,033. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905. 0. JENSEN.

UNIGYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8. 1904.

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WITNESSES: 9

aid $1 a UW/E/VTOR asz zzzei .7512 sew Q ATTORNEYS No. 782,033. PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905. 0. JENSEN.

UNIGYCLE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 8, 1904.

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@26 INVENTOR WITNESS-E81 ww By M ATfOR/VEVS .mentof my invention.

Patented February '7, 1905.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @rmcn.

OSVALD JENSENK OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

UNICYCLE.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 782,033, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed July 8, 1904. Serial No. 215,740.

To a, lirhom/ it 11mg concern c it known that l, Osy ALD JnxsnN, a cit-1- zen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New lork, borough of Manhattan, in

the county and State of New York, have invented anew and Improved Unicycle. of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to unicycles, and more particularly to those which are power-driven.

It has for its principal objects the provision of a convenient and readily-controlled vehicle of this character.

It consists in the various features and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodi- Fig. 2 is abroken central vertical transverse section therethrough. Fig. 3 is a broken sectional detail through the d rivingshaft. Fig. l is an enlarged broken elevation of the mechanism for manipulating the auxiliary wheels. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail taken through the securinglatch. Fig. 6 is a broken perspective view of the mechanism for controlling the application of power and the brake. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail on the line T T of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the seat and more closely associated parts looking at the opposite side from that shown in Fig. l; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail taken in the same plane as Fig. 2, but showing the support and one of the auxiliarywheel bars in another relation.

M designates a main wheel having a rim 10 and a tire ll, which is preferably of the pneumatic type. Surrounding the interiorof the rim are parallel tracks 12, here shown as two in number, with which coact pairs of grooved wheels 13 13. journaled at the corners of a ipiadrilateral frame made up of suitable members ll.

Upon one of the bars of the frame is carried a casing 15, which may be braced by stays l6 16, extending from its opposite lower corners to the angles of the frame. \Vithin this casing is supported a motor 17, the drivingshaft 18 of which has fast upon it a pinion 19, meshing with an internal gear 20 between the tracks.

Above the casing and motor is located a support for the rider, it being here shown as carried upon pairs of brackets 2121, inclined upwardly from the casing at each side thereof and being connected by cross-bars Upon these cross-bars operate slides 23. which at their central portion 27k may surround the bars, these portions serving by their contact with the brackets to limit the movement of the slides in either direction. To the slides are lixed opposite supporting-standards consisting of a lower member and converging inclined side members 26 26.. At the apex of the angle between the side members is pivotally mounted a seat 27, preferably by means of arms 28, which are secured to it at each side and have oppositely-extending trunnions 29, rotatable in the standards. This arrangement permits the seat and rider to occupy at all times a substantially perpendicular position regardless of the angle of the frame.

The movement of the seat laterally of the frame and wheel results in an unequal distribution of weight, which will cause the wheel to swerve in one direction or the other for the purpose of steering and maintaining equilibrium. This movement may be effected by cords or flexible members 30 and 31, connected with the casing by eyes 32, rising at each side thereof. The cords extend from the eyes in opposite directions across the easing and pass over pulleys 33, carried by the members 25. From these pulleys the cords pass upwardly over pulleys 33, mounted beneath the intersections of the members 26, and then downwardly into coaetion with pulleys 3&, carried by the arms 28. Fromthis point the cord 30 extends and is secured to the surface of a roll 35. mounted upon a shaft journaled in brackets 36, carried by the support, while the cord 3.1 extends beneath the seat and is also fixed to the roll. The roll-shaft carries a pinion 37, with which meshes a segmental rack 38, depending from a hand-lever 3S), fulcrumed upon the seat. It will be seen that when the roll is rotated by means of the lever 39 a tension will be created tending to l wheel, which might be of such extent as to be draw the cords equally in opposite directions, and as their ends are fast to the casing and as at intermediate points they bear against the support this results in the latter being moved in one direction or the other, shifting the weight of the support and rider and allowing the unicycle to be balanced and steered.

To control the application of power by the motor to the wheel, a rod 40 extends vertically of the frame and is movable in guides 41 41. At the upper end of this rod is an arm 41, with which may contact a hand-lever 42, fulcrumed upon the seat. At the lower end of the rod is a transverse extension 43, which may be braced by opposite inclined members 44 44. Upon this extension moves a slide 45, to which is articulated a lever 46, fulcrumed at 47 upon the top of the casing. At the opposite end the lever 46 may be connected by a link 48 to a lever 50, which controls the power of the motor. When the operator raises the lever 42, it contacts with the arm and through the intermediate system moves the lever 50 and starts the motor. Upon releasing the lever the rod 40 is returned to its normal position by a spring 51, which is here shown as a spiral tension-spring connected to the rod 40 andone of its guides. It should be noted that when the support is moved across the casing in steering the slide 45 will travel upon the extension 43, and thus avoid interference' with the steering movement, while still permitting the control of the power in all positions of the support.

To secure a braking efiect to stop the travel of the main wheel, the shaft 18 is provided with a brake-wheel 52, about which operates a strap 53, secured at one end at 54 to the easing and having its opposite end attached to a bell-crank lever 55, (here shown as fulcrumed upon the casing.) Vertically of the support a rod 56 extends, this being guided at 41, having braced extensions 43, a slide 45, and a lever 46, which may be precisely similar to those previously described in connection with the power-controlling mechanism. Thelower end of this rod is connected to the bell-crank 55, while near its upper end below the handlever 42 is an arm or projection 57, with which said handlever will contact when moved downwardly, depressing the rod and drawing the strap about the wheel, thus checking the rotation of the driving-shaft and producing a tendency to stop the movement of the main wheel. The brake strap may be removed from coaction with the brake-wheel in any desired manner, as by its own resiliency.

When at rest, the motor will occupy a position at the lower portion of the frame, and when moving steadily it will only be displaced therefrom to an extent proportionate to the resistance encountered; but the sudden appli cation of power would result in a forward and upward movement of the frame within the objectionable. To prevent this, the rod 40 carries a contact member 58, which, as here illustrated, occupies an inclined position and cooperates with a contact projection 59, fixed to the seat. The contact between these members occurs as a result of the seat swinging upon its trunnions in the maintenance of a perpendicular position and causes a downward movement of the rod 40 which shuts off the power of the. motor when the upward movement of the frame exceeds that to a definite extent. Asimilar efiect, though in the opposite direction, may be produced upon a sudden application of the brake, the frame then rising rearwardly. To obviate this difficulty, the controlling-rod 56 of the brake mechanism carries the inclined contact member 60 for coaction with a projection 61 from the seat, this moving the rod upwardly and releasing the brake'if there is undue rearward movement.

To support the wheel when stationary and to permit greater ease in riding under suitable conditions, auxiliary wheels may be provided at each side of the main wheel, which will convert the unicycle into a tricycle. Of these two are here shown, each designated as 62, they being supported upon axles 63, projecting from the ends of rods 64, mounted to reciprocate in guides 65, preferably formed in the casing. These rods and guides may be splined to permit a longitudinal movement, while preventing rotation. Each of the rods carries an operating-bar 66, which is bent outwardly and then inwardly to clear the support in its ordinary movement and has at its upper end a handle 67 within the convenient reach of the rider. in each of the guides are recesses 68, 69, and 70, with which a latch 71 may coact. This latch projects from one arm of a bell-crank lever 72, fulcrumed within the rod, which may be conveniently made hollow and has running through it from the lever a cord or flexible member ,73. This cord passes over a pulley 74 at the juncture of the rod and operating-bar and then through the latter, which may be also hollow, and at its upper end is attached to a finger-piece 75, situated within the handle. To maintain the latch normally in coaction with a recess, a spring 76 is fastened to the lever 72 and to the inside of the rod. When the latches are within the recesses 68, the wheels are raised from the ground to their greatest extent and are then in close proximity to the sides of the casing to provide for the use of the apparatus as a unicycle. l Vhen the machine is at rest or moving slowly, the latches may engage the recesses 69, which places the auxiliary wheels on substantially the same horizontal plane as the main wheel. WVhen the main wheel is being driven at a greater than what may be considered a normal speed, when the frame and motor-casing will be somewhat elevated forwardly, the latches may be brought into engagement with the lowermost recesses 70, placing the auxiliary wheels in a plane below the main wheel. In the two last-named positions a stable support will be assured. In the extreme of travel of the seat-support at each side it will come in contact with the operating-bars 66 and move them outwardly, the latch being released to permit this. To return the bars, the support is provided with opposite uprights or projections T7, rising from the members 25 of the frame, which will extend through and contact with the inner sides of loops 78, fixed upon the bars and preferably provided with rolls 79 to reduce the friction. \Vhen the bars have reached their normal positions adjacent to the casing, these rolls will have risen to such a height that the projections 77 will clear and pass beneath them.

In using my improved unicycle the rider may conveniently mount by means of a step 80 projecting from one side of the casing upon the footboard 81 and take his position upon the seat. Power may then be applied by rais ing the lever i2 and the machine guided and balanced by traversing the support upon the casing by means of the lever 39. If it is desired to stop, the lever 42 is depressed, thus successively shutting off the power and applying the brake with a single movement. Before momentum is lost the auxiliary wheels may be projected and the main wheel supported against overturning, or, as has been before indicated, when the character of the country permits it they may be used when in motion to avoid the necessity of maintaining a balance. \Vhatever speed may attain or however abruptly progress may be checked the rider will not be carried too far from the normal position in either direction, the power being shut olf or the brake released automatically. as may be necessary. It will be obvious that as the tractive effect is secured by the forward movement of the weight of the motor and rider within the wheel there can be no slipping of the latter upon the ground, and therefore the machine will operate successfully over any surface however smooth such as ice, for example-and will be enabled to climb grades, its capacity in this direction being only limited by the power of the motor. The great diameter of the main wheel renders it useful for traveling in rough country, ordinary obstacles presenting but slight obstruction to its passage.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination with a wheel, of a support for the rider movable laterally thereof whereby the steering of the wheel is effected.

2. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, and a seat for the rider movable laterally of the frame whereby the steering of the wheel is effected.

3. The combination with a wheel, of a frame mounted therein, a motor carried by the frame, and a support for the rider situated above the motor and movable laterally of the wheel.

4. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a casing carried by the frame and normally situated at the lower portion of the wheel, a motor within the casing, and a support for the rider carried by the frame.

' 5. The combinationwith a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a casing carried by the frame and normally situated at the lower portion of the wheel, a motor within the casing, and a support for the rider mounted upon the casing.

6. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a casing carried by the frame and normallysituated at the lower portion of the wheel, a motor within the casing, and a support for the rider movable upon the easing laterally of the wheel.

7. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a casing carried by the frame and normally situated at the lower portion of the wheel, a motor within the casing, brackets projecting at each side of the casing, bars extending between the brackets, slides operating upon the bars, and a seat mounted upon the slides.

8. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a casing carried by the frame and normally situated at the lower portion of the wheel, a motor within the casing, brackets projecting at each side of the casing, bars extending between the brackets, slides oper ating upon the bars, and a seat pivotally mounted upon the slides.

9. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a seat for the rider movable laterally of the frame, and a flexible member connected with the frame and extending within the reach of the rider.

10. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a seat for the rider movable laterally of the frame, flexible members connected with the frame and extending in opposite directions,and a roll rotatable upon the support and to which the flexible members are secured.

11. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a seat for the rider movable laterally of the frame, flexible members connected with the frame and extending in opposite directions,a roll rotatable upon the support and to which the flexible members are secured, a pinion rotatable with the roll, and a lever having a rack meshing with the pinion.

12. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein, a casing carried by the frame and normally situated at the lower portion of the wheel, a motor within the casing, a support for the rider movable upon the easing laterally of the wheel, flexible members secured to the casin and means fol-exerting a tension upon said flexible members.

13. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable therein,a casing carried by the frame and normally situated at the lower portion of the wheel, a motor within the casing, a support for the rider movable upon the casing laterally of the wheel, flexible members secured to the casing, pulleys situated at opposite sides of the support over which the flexible members pass, a roll to which the ends of the flexible members are fixed, and means for rotating the roll.

14. In a unicycle, the combination with a wheel, of a track and a gear surrounding the interior thereof, a frame having rolls traveling upon the track, a motor carried by the frame and normally situated at the lower portion of the wheel, a pinion rotatable by the motor and meshing with the gear, and a seat for the rider supported above the motor.

15. In a unicycle, the combination with a Wheel, of parallel tracks surrounding the interior thereof, a gear situated between the tracks, a frame having a plurality of sets of rolls traveling upon the tracks, amotor carried by the frame and having a pinion engaging the gear, and a seat for the rider supported above the motor.

16. In a unicycle, the combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about the interior of the wheel, a motor for driving the wheel normally occupying a position near the bottom portion thereof, and automatic means for stopping the application of power to the wheel upon the departure of the motor from its normal position.

17. In a unicycle, the combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about the interior of the wheel, a motor for driving the wheel normally occupying a position near the bottom portion thereof, a support extending from the frame above the motor, a seat movable upon the support, and means for stopping the application of power to the wheel mounted upon the support and cooperating with the seat.

181 In a unicycle, the combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about the interior of the wheel, a motor for driving the wheel normally occupying a position near the bottom portion thereof,a support extending from the frame above the motor, a seat movable upon the support, a lever fulcrumed upon the support and connected with the motor, and a projection from the seat which may cooperate with the lever.

19. In a unicycle, the combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about the interior of the wheel, a motor for driving the wheel normally occupying a position near the bottom portion thereof, a brake for the motor, and automatic means for releasing said brake upon the departure of the motor from its normal position.

20. In a unicyle, the combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about the interior of the wheel, a motor for driving the wheel normally occupying a position near the bottom portion thereof, a support extending from the frame above the motor, a seat movable upon the support, and a brake for the motor movable upon the support and cooperating with the seat.

21. In a unicycle, the combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about the interior of the wheel, a motor for driving the wheel normally occupying a position near the bottom portion thereof, a wheel rotatable with the motor, a band cooperating with the wheel, and a lever fulcrumed upon the support and connected with the band.

22. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about theinterior of the wheel, a motor for driving the wheel, means for controlling the application of power to the wheel, a brake, means for controlling the brake, and a lever for actuating both of said controlling means.

23. The combination with a wheel, of a frame movable about the interior of the wheel, a support for the rider movable laterally of the frame, a motor for .driving the wheel, means for controlling the application of power to the Wheel, a brake, means for controlling the brake, and a lever for actuating both of said controlling means and having shiftable connection therewith.

24. A unicycle comprising a main wheel, a frame mounted therein, an auxiliary wheel situated at one side of the main wheel and being movable toward and from the ground, and steering means operating independently of the auxiliary wheel. 7

25. A unicycle comprising a main wheel, a frame mounted therein, an auxiliary wheel situated at one side of the main wheel and being movable toward and from the ground, means for securing the auxiliary wheel upon the frame in difierent positions, and steering means operating independently of the auxiliary wheel.

26. A unicycle comprising a main wheel, a frame mounted therein and provided with an inclined way, a rod movable in the way, and a wheel rotatable about the outer end of the rod.

27. A unicycle comprising a main wheel, a frame mounted therein and provided with an inclined way, a rod movable in the way, a wheel rotatable about the outer end of the rod, and an operating-bar connected with the rod.

28. A unicycle comprising a main wheel, a frame mounted therein and provided with an inclined way, a rod movable in the way, a wheel rotatable about the outer end of the rod, an operating-bar connected with the rod, a latch for the rod, and actuating means for the latch extending along the operating-bar.

29. The combination with amain wheel, of a support for the rider movable laterally thereof, an auxiliary wheel movably mounted at each side of the main wheel, and cooperating means carried by the support and auxiliary each side of the main wheel, projections carried by the support, bars movable with the auxiliary wheels and with which the projections may contact, and loops carried by the bars for receiving the projections.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OSVALD JENSEN.

\Vitnesses:

S. H. Conn, J NO. M. Rrr'rnn. 

